<p>Some tropical countries are blessed with rich medicinal plant resources but tend to export them at low prices and subsequently reimport expensive pharmaceutical products due to a limited understanding of their intrinsic potential. The heritage of traditional medicine practices of Sri Lanka reflects the ancient wisdom and deep connection between the country’s people and nature. However, at present, the commercial cultivation of medicinal plants is limited to only a handful of species and relies on imports from other countries. The root cause of this issue lies in the lack of baseline information, insufficient recognition the immense value of the country’s medicinal plants and their potential for economic growth and as a contributor to improved public health. Understanding their ecogeographical distribution will provide a foundation for effective conservation and utilization. This study is expected to establish a basis for future research, supporting the conservation, sustainable utilization, and commercial production of medicinal plants in Sri Lanka through the use of ecogeographical mapping. This study will further emphasize how to empower developing countries, like Sri Lanka to harness the full potential of their plant genetic resources and reduce their dependence on costly imported pharmaceuticals. Additionally the methodology proposed here could serve as a guiding method for commercial production, sustainable management and conservation of economically valuable yet underutilized plant groups worldwide.</p>